
COVID-19 Update:
Currently our physical location for the Low Vision Clinic and Low Vision Store are open by appointment only.
Low Vision Clinic – (206) 436-2228
Low Vision Services – (206) 436-2154
Low Vision Store – (206) 436-2229
CLINIC HOURS: Mondays-Thursdays 8:00-4:00 by appointment only
In-person appointments available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. | Telehealth appointments available Mondays.
STORE HOURS: The store is not open for in-person visits, but store orders can be placed over the phone. Please call (206) 436-2229 for inquiries.
The Lighthouse for the Blind Inc., located at 2501. S. Plum in Seattle is expanding its programs to enhance services for the Low Vision Community in the Puget Sound region. Services include Low Vision Rehabilitation Services, Lighthouse Low Vision Clinic, and Lighthouse Low Vision Store.
Low vision is generally defined as a vision decrease that cannot be corrected with conventional glasses or contact lenses which interferes with the performance of daily living tasks. Examples of eye conditions that can cause low vision include macular degeneration, glaucoma, inherited retinal conditions, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, etc.

Jane Elliott (right) shows Nhi Porter (left) how to use a large print calendar
Community Low Vision Rehabilitation Services including Independent Living & Safe Travel:
Our Independent Living Program serves the following counties: King, Snohomish, Skagit, Island and San Juan Counties, and O&M services for Pierce County.
Instructors come to your home and work with you to learn new ways to perform the tasks of everyday living: appliance use, medication management, telephone and time telling techniques, and reading and writing. Lighthouse Orientation and Mobility Instructors help you to achieve your travel goals, such as moving around your home and neighborhood safely and independently, or traveling by bus or paratransit. We can help you learn new skills to cope with vision loss.
For more information about services, call (206) 436-2154 to speak to a representative, or fill out a referral request here.
Lighthouse Low Vision Clinic
Our Low Vision Clinic located at 2501 S. Plum St in Seattle serves people residing in Washington state. The Lighthouse Low Vision Clinic offers functional vision assessments by a residency trained optometrist who will work with you to maximize your vision and function to perform daily living tasks. A low vision therapist will work with you to ensure you are comfortable and confident with the prescribed aid and technique.
Low vision exam and what to expect during your initial visit:

Dr. Anna Shagas (left) performs an eye test with Michael Martens (right)
A low vision exam is a functional vision assessment performed by an optometrist which includes an evaluation of the eyeglass prescription and recommendation of optical and non-optical devices to best meet each client’s individualized daily living goals. Some of the evaluations will include special testing to map out central or peripheral vision, depending on the eye condition at hand. The special testing will allow for both the client and the service providers to learn more about the effects of the eye condition on clients’ functional vision.
After the functional vision assessment with an optometrist, an occupational therapist will review clients’ rehabilitation goals, teach clients how to use devices prescribed and apply them to daily living skills.
The initial exam can take up to 2 hours due to extensive testing with the optometrist and rehabilitation therapy with the occupational therapist.
Clinic Rehabilitation Services
Our low vision rehabilitation services are provided by a licensed occupational therapist, who assists clients to maximize their remaining vision in order to increase independence in meaningful daily activities, or occupations. Our occupational therapist works closely with our interprofessional team, including the low vision optometrist and certified orientation and mobility specialists.
Occupational therapists help clients with low vision improve their participation in desired and necessary activities of daily living, such as reading, writing or using a computer. Our occupational therapist assists with:
- Teaching clients to use their remaining vision as efficiently as possible to complete activities
- Training in the use of adaptive devices and assistive technology to compensate for vision loss
- Helping to modify activities or tasks so they can be completed with reduced vision
- Recommending modifications to the environment to promote safety, accessibility and independence
Low vision occupational therapy services typically involve 6 to 8 sessions, including the evaluation and assessment. The evaluation process will be completed following the functional visual assessment with our low vision optometrist. The occupational therapist will then help clients establish therapy goals and recommend the appropriate duration and frequency of low vision rehabilitation services based on clients’ specific needs.
Paying for Low Vision Exam and Rehabilitation Therapy:
Medicare and most third-party insurance companies pay for the low vision exam, special testing, and low vision rehabilitation with the occupational therapist. The refraction/eyeglasses prescription is not covered by Medicare and other medical insurance companies, thus this does end up being an out of pocket expense. If you are wearing a glasses prescription already, which is up to date and provides maximum correction available in spectacles, then we will not need to update the glasses Rx.
For more information about services, call (206) 436-2228 to speak to a representative, or click this link to ask your doctor to fill out a referral form.
Funding:
We rely on community support from local corporations, foundations, service organizations, and individuals, in addition to income from the sale of our products. This additional funding is critical to preserving and expanding programs for those we serve. Lighthouse Low Vision Services receives funding from the King County Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy.

Lighthouse Low Vision Store

Dr. Anna Shagas, OD (left) demonstrating a CCTV (electronic magnifier) to Dennis Tay
The store is co-located with the Low Vision Clinic, where you can purchase the equipment you need for living an independent life. Here is a sampling of the products our store carries:
- High-powered reading glasses
- Handheld and stand magnifiers, as well as electronic magnifiers
- Talking watches and clocks
- White canes for safe and independent travel
- A variety of adaptive aids for the kitchen and other in-home areas
- Quality sun glasses/glare protection
- Task lighting
- Large button telephones, remotes, recorders
Our store is currently not open to the public for in-person visits. It is available for clinic patients who have appointments and for phone orders. In-person clinic appointments available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
For more information about our Low Vision Store, or to make a phone order, call (206) 436-2229 to speak to a representative.
Funding:
We rely on community support from local corporations, foundations, service organizations, and individuals, in addition to income from the sale of our products. This additional funding is critical to preserving and expanding programs for those we serve. Lighthouse Low Vision Services receives funding from the King County Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy.

Education and Resources:
Lighthouse Low Vision Services provides resources and information to individuals affected by vision loss. Examples include referral to local support groups, government based programs & services, and educational brochures. We are happy to offer presentations to local community members and agencies.
Brochures (PDF)
- Lighthouse Low Vision Services Tri-fold Brochure
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration
- Blind & Low Vision Support Groups
- Cataracts
- CCTV Education
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Do You Know Someone With Vision Loss?
- Fall Prevention Assessment and Checklist
- Glaucoma
- Home Management Skills
- Lighting
- Magnification and Traditional Magnifiers
- Normal Changes in the Aging Eye
- Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Stroke
Local Resources
- Helen Keller Northwest Region
- The Seattle Public Library ADA/Special Services (i.e. Library Equal Access Program)
- Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP)
- Washington State Department of Services for the Blind
- Washington Talking Book and Braille Library
Local Transportation
- Hyde Shuttle
- Metro Accessible Transportation
- Metro Buses for Seattle and King County
- Seattle Downtown Circulator Bus
- Sound Transit
- Pierce Transit in Tacoma
- Washington State Ferries
- Washington State Public Transportation
- Washington State Tourism
National Organizations and Resources
- AbilityOne (Formerly JWOD) Program
- American Council of the Blind
- American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
- The Carroll Center for the Blind
- CountyOffice.org
- Disability Resources – Office of Disability Employment Policy
- Education at the Kennedy Center (formerly VSA arts)
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
- National Federation of the Blind
- National Industries for the Blind
- Social Security Disability Benefits Guide
- Social Security Disability Benefits Calculator
- Tips for Online Shopping With Disabilities
- We Connect Now
College and Education Resources
- College Accessibility for Visually Impaired Students
- Colleges Helping Students Who Are Blind
- College Resources for Students with Disabilities
- College Student’s Guide to Minimizing Vision Problems
Dog Guide Information
- Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.
- Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind Inc.
- Guiding Eyes for the Blind
- HerePup
- Leader Dogs for the Blind
- The Seeing Eye, Inc.
DeafBlind Resources
- DeafBlind Program at the Lighthouse
- DeafBlind International
- The DeafBlind Resource Page
- DeafBlind Service Center
- Helen Keller National Center
- National Consortium on DeafBlindness (NCDB)
- Washington State DeafBlind Citizens
Assistive Technology
- AIRA
- Apple Accessibility
- Deque University
- Freedom Scientific
- Microsoft Accessibility
- Northwest Access Fund
- Washington Assitive Technology Alliance
- Washington Relay
- WebAble
Accessible Web Design
Blindness Resources for Seniors
- American Foundation for the Blind’s Senior Site
- Smartphone Apps and Resources for People with Vision Loss or Impairment
For more information please call (206) 436-2154 to speak to a representative, or fill out a referral request here.
Last updated on: 08-10-2021